Romania for Indians in 2026: Now Schengen — Which Visa You Need
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer is a Balkans- and Europe-focused visa writer for FlightGPT who untangles the messy middle of European travel for Indians — the non-Schengen countries, the 'visa-free if you hold a Schengen visa' loopholes, and the post-2025 Schengen expansion. She tracks consulate notices, VFS India centres and embassy circulars so Indian travellers don't get turned back at the airport.) · Published · Last updated · 11 min read
Romania became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. For Indians that means a Schengen visa is now the ticket — but a valid two- or multiple-entry Schengen visa from any member country also gets you into Romania, and a Romanian Schengen visa unlocks all 29 countries. Here's the 2026 rulebook.
Quick answer
Romania is now a full Schengen member (air and sea borders since 31 March 2024, land borders since 1 January 2025), so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit — there's no visa-free or visa-on-arrival route for ordinary Indian passports. The convenient part: you can enter Romania on a valid two-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa issued by any member, and a Romanian Schengen visa lets you travel across all 29 Schengen countries. The adult short-stay fee is around EUR 90 (~₹8,500), applied via VFS Global/BLS in India. (Holders of valid Schengen national long-stay visas/residence permits can also do short stays.) Verify current details on the Romanian MFA/embassy site, and compare flights in the FlightGPT chat.
The big change: Romania joined Schengen
Like Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen accession came in two phases, and the timeline matters because so much older guidance predates it. Internal air and sea border controls with Romania were lifted on 31 March 2024, and the internal land border controls were removed on 1 January 2025, making Romania a full Schengen member. With Bulgaria and Romania in, the Schengen Area now numbers 29 countries.
For Indian travellers this collapses Romania's old separate national-visa system into the Schengen framework: Romania issues uniform (Schengen) visas and accepts Schengen visas issued by other members. So treat Romania like any other Schengen country for visa purposes. See the FlightGPT Romania visa page for the summary, and confirm the live rules on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before applying.
Can you use an existing Schengen visa for Romania?
Yes. If you already hold a valid two-entry or multiple-entry uniform (Schengen) visa valid for all member states, you can visit Romania for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a separate Romanian visa. A multi-entry Schengen visa from an earlier France, Germany or Italy trip therefore covers Romania too.
Conditions Indian travellers must keep in mind:
- Two-entry or multiple-entry only. A single-entry Schengen visa already consumed entering another country has no entry left for Romania.
- Shared 90/180 count. Because Romania is now inside Schengen, days in Romania count toward your overall Schengen allowance — unlike Serbia, Albania or Montenegro.
- Long-stay (D) visas and residence permits of Schengen states also permit short stays in Romania within the 90/180 limit.
Planning to combine Romania with the rest of the EU? Our multiple-entry cascade guide and the Eastern Europe itinerary show how to stitch a multi-country trip together on one visa.
Applying for a Schengen visa for Romania from India
If you don't hold a usable Schengen visa, apply for one. The standard Schengen rule applies: lodge your application with the country that is your main destination (most nights), or your first point of entry if nights are split evenly. If Romania is your main destination, apply for a Romanian Schengen visa through its outsourced partner in India (VFS Global / BLS International, per current arrangements), at centres in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
The Schengen document set is the same everywhere: application form, passport (valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years), two Schengen-spec photos, confirmed return flights, hotel bookings or invitation, travel insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover valid across Schengen, proof of funds (Romania references a daily minimum — confirm the current figure), and a cover letter. Our Schengen-from-India guide covers the full checklist; first-time applicants should also read our cascade explainer to angle for a multi-entry grant.
Fees, processing and documents (date-stamped)
Schengen fees are centrally set but can change, and Indian processing has been slow recently — treat the table as a June-2026 snapshot and verify with the Romanian embassy/VFS before applying — fees and rules change:
| Item | Approx (verify) |
|---|---|
| Adult Schengen short-stay fee | EUR 90 (about ₹8,500), plus VFS/BLS service charge |
| Children 6–11 | Reduced fee (EUR 45); under 6 usually free |
| Processing time | Officially ~15 calendar days; currently plan for 4–8 weeks in peak season |
| Insurance | Minimum EUR 30,000 medical cover, valid across Schengen for the full stay |
| Proof of funds | Romania references a daily minimum (often cited around EUR 50/day) — confirm current figure |
| Stay allowed | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (shared Schengen count) |
Schengen rules let you apply up to 6 months before travel — use that runway in summer. Biometrics are required unless you've enrolled them for a Schengen visa within the last ~59 months. Our Schengen insurance guide covers the EUR 30,000 rule and which Indian insurers issue compliant policies.
Flights from India, EES/ETIAS and arriving in Romania
There are no direct flights from India to Romania in 2026; Indians connect to Bucharest (OTP) via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), the Gulf (Qatar Airways, Emirates, flydubai), or European hubs (Lufthansa, ITA, Austrian). From Delhi or Mumbai expect roughly 11–14 hours total including the layover. Compare connecting options in the FlightGPT chat; see the Mumbai–Istanbul and Delhi–Dubai route pages for the main gateways, and the Bucharest destination guide for ideas on the ground.
On the new border systems: the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on 10 April 2026, so on your first entry into Schengen (including via Romania) you'll give fingerprints and a facial scan instead of getting a passport stamp. ETIAS — a separate authorisation for visa-exempt nationalities, expected to launch in late 2026 — does not apply to Indians, who hold a Schengen visa instead. At Bucharest immigration carry your passport, Schengen visa (or qualifying multi-entry visa/permit), return ticket, accommodation proof, EUR 30,000 insurance and proof of funds. If you connect through another Schengen hub like Frankfurt or Vienna, your single Schengen visa covers the transit; review our transit-by-hub guide for non-Schengen hubs like Istanbul or Doha.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Romania in 2026?
Yes. Romania became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for tourism — there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival route for ordinary Indian passports. Holders of valid Schengen national long-stay visas or residence permits can also make short stays.
Can I enter Romania with a Schengen visa issued by another country?
Yes. A valid two-entry or multiple-entry uniform Schengen visa valid for all member states lets you visit Romania for up to 90 days in 180 without a separate Romanian visa. A single-entry Schengen visa already used to enter elsewhere won't have an entry left for Romania.
Is Romania part of Schengen now?
Yes. Romania lifted internal air and sea border controls on 31 March 2024 and land border controls on 1 January 2025, becoming a full Schengen member. The Schengen Area now has 29 countries, and a Romanian Schengen visa lets you travel across all of them.
How much does a Romania (Schengen) visa cost for Indians?
The adult Schengen short-stay visa fee is EUR 90 (about ₹8,500), plus the VFS/BLS service charge, as of June 2026. Children 6–11 pay a reduced EUR 45 and under-6s are usually free. Plan for 4–8 weeks of processing in peak season and verify current fees with the embassy or VFS.
Do Indians need ETIAS or EES for Romania?
ETIAS does not apply to Indians — it's for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indians already need a Schengen visa. The Entry/Exit System (EES) does apply: since 10 April 2026 you'll give fingerprints and a facial scan on first entry into Schengen, including via Romania, instead of a passport stamp.
Are there direct flights from India to Romania?
No. There are no direct flights from India to Bucharest (OTP) in 2026. Indians connect via Istanbul, the Gulf (Dubai, Doha) or European hubs like Frankfurt and Vienna. Total travel time from Delhi/Mumbai is roughly 11–14 hours including the layover. Compare routings in the FlightGPT chat.